Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 26 May 2004
53 Mr. Howlin asked the Minister for Health and Children if his attention has been drawn to claims made at the recent conference of the Irish Pharmaceutical Union that annual savings of up to €100 million could be made by the State if changes were made to the way in which the national drugs bill was managed; his response to this claim; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15583/04]
View answerI assume the Deputy is referring to the claims made in the Irish Pharmaceutical Union's submission to my Department, Value for Money on Medicines and Payments to Pharmacists, and in its recent presentation to the Oireachtas Committee on Health and Children. The IPU submission has made recommendations on community pharmacy in a number of areas, including medicines management, pharmacist prescribing, generic substitution and health promotion. In addition, the value for money submission included a substantial pay claim that would amount to over €100 million per annum.
My Department is reviewing pharmaceutical expenditure and community pharmacy structures in light of the recommendations of several reports in the area, including the pharmacy review group and Brennan reports, as well as the IPU submissions. My officials are examining the IPU claims in this context.
